London and Paris 1980s - 1990s

South Kent Gazette 12-3-1980

Local News

Travellers` cheques and French and Spanish money were stolen from a customer at the London and Paris pub at Folkestone on Saturday.

Folkestone Herald 25-10-1980

Local News

A cheque for more than £1,000, raised through a sponsored pub-crawl, was presented to the Kent Association for the Blind on Tuesday.

At the London and Paris pub, in Harbour Street, Folkestone, the association`s general secretary, Mr. Ted Stratten, received the money from postman, Mr. Dave Garrod, who organised the event. Last August, 64 people took part in the 10-mile crawl from Folkestone to Hythe and back, calling at various pubs on the way. A shield was given by the London and Manchester Assurance Company to the London and Paris for raising the largest sum of £186.20. Also smaller trophies were presented by Mr Peter Bailey, the company’s unit manager, to members of the pub’s team who were Sue Garrod, Donny Thiele, Sue Reeve and Sharon Richard­son. A work basket made by the blind was given to Sue Garrod for her individual effort of raising £129.80. The money will be used to buy talking clocks for the blind and to help equip a club in Sandwich for blind and deaf people.

 

Folkestone Herald 18-4-1981

Local News

Charrington Bass pubs in Folkestone have been hit by a drayman`s strike at the Canterbury depot. Draymen are strijing because of what a spokesman described as an internal dispute. The strike is expected to last until after Easter, and deliveries to three Charrington Bass pubs in Folkestone have been affected.

Mr. Clive Simpson, of the London and Paris said “We are all right at the moment and we will get through Easter, but I don`t know what will happen after that”.

Mr. Michael Wildey, manager of the Bouverie Arms, said “We are well-stocked and will survive Easter, a very busy period”.

Folkestone Herald 16-10-1981

Local News

Bookie Frank Sprenger, who was left lying in a pool of blood after being attacked outside a Folkestone pub on Saturday, was back at work on Tuesday. Mr. Sprenger, 55, discharged himself from the William Harvey Hospital on Monday, after X-rays revealed that he did not have a fractured skull as was first feared.

He was leaving the London and Paris pub in the harbour with two friends when the apparently unprovoked attack happened. All three were beaten to the ground in a hail of punches and kicks. The assailants, who had followed them out of the pub just before closing time, then ran off.

Still sore and bruised from the ordeal, Mr Sprenger told the Herald and Gazette on Wednesday that things hap­pened so quickly he can hardly remember anything about the attack. He confirmed other eye­witness reports that the assault was completely un­provoked, but believes there were four attackers and not three as first reported. They were all aged about 20, and Mr Sprenger says he is certain they were soldiers with Scottish accents. Despite several nasty cuts on his head and chin, which needed 15 stitches, Mr. Sprenger discharged himself from hospital a day early and returned to work rather than sit “moping about” at home. His companions, 30-year-old David Martin, of the Lancastrian Hotel, and 26-year-old John Leighead, of Church Street, Folkestone, were allowed home after treatment for head injuries. He has seen them since the incident and both are all right.

Mr Clive Simpson, land­lord of the pub, said “It’s a wonder he wasn’t killed. Especially the way he was left, lying in the road in a great pool of blood”. The attackers, who he had never seen in the pub before, were “just looking for trouble”. They started mak­ing a fuss about 10 minutes before closing time, but there was no trouble and they were just eased out, he said. He cannot understand why they picked on Mr Sprenger and his friends. What hap­pened was completely unprovoked, he said. “Mr. Sprenger is a regular at the pub and one of the most inoffensive men I know”, he added.

South Kent Gazette 16-6-1982

Local News

A pre-Christmas drink turned into a brawl, Folkestone Magistrates heard on Wednesday. Two groups of drinkers at the London and Paris pub near the town`s harbour were involved in the fight on December 18 last year.

Gary Porter, 28, of Pilgrim Spring, Folkestone, and Roy Lockett, 29, of Bedfordshire, were charged with assault causing actual bodily harm to Marlene Atkins and Peter Warman. Lockett was also accused of breaking a window. But in order to avoid a lengthy and costly court hearing, both defendants agreed to be bound over to keep the peace. The charges of assault and damage were dropped and both men were charged with breach of the peace. They were bound over for one year to the sum of £50.

Miss Diane Wray, representing Lockett and Porter, said they both denied the original charges and would have defended along that line.

Mr. Gareth Isaac, prosecuting, said the fight started when a group of drinkers was asked to move from one table to another in order to vacate an eating area. The second group of people, who wanted to eat, were eventually taken to another table after one of the drinkers seemed reluctant to move. “Words were exchanged, and things got a little out of hand”, said Mr. Isaac. “One man pushed or fell with one of the defendants through a pane of glass and a woman was hit”.

Miss Wray said the first group of drinkers felt annoyed at being asked to move. They decided to drink up and go because they did not want any trouble. “It marred the pre-Christmas drink, without a doubt”, Miss Wray said of the fracas. She added the defendants had acted very sensibly in agreeing to be bound over.

Presiding Magistrate, Mr George Garnum, said the court was appreciative of Porter’s and Lockett’s deci­sion. “It could have been a long and dreary case”, he said.

Folkestone Herald 19-11-1982

Local News

Kent Association for the Blind received a £1,194 cash boost on Monday, thanks to a sponsored walk and pub crawl in Folkestone and Hythe.

Dave Garrod, who annually raises large sums of money for the Kent Blind, presented a cheque to the association’s general secre­tary, Mr. Les Ellis at the London and Paris public house. The landlady, Mrs, Ingrid Simpson, collected a shield on behalf of the pub regu­lars who raised the highest single amount of £295.95. There were 38 money-raising walkers on the 10-mile, 10-pub sponsored walk and they were joined by 24 others. Highest individual amount raised was £183.80 by Mike Kingston. 

Photo from Folkestone Herald

Folkestone Herald 17-3-1989

Local News

The drink and good cheer was flowing for the re-opening of the London and Paris pub hotel in the Harbour, Folkestone. Brewers, Charrington, completely re-designed the interior, creating one large bar. The pub now opens at 8.30 a.m. for coffee and breakfast, either continental or a full cooked meal. Both snacks and meals will be served throughout the day, with vegetarian food available to order.

Folkestone Herald 2-6-1989

Local News

A man is wanted in connection with an attack on a strike-breaking seaman. It happened at the London and Paris pub in the harbour on May 1 at 4.30 p.m. He is described as white, six feet two inches tall and clean shaven. He is well-built with a pot belly and has black collar-length hair, curled at the bottom. He spoke with a broad Liverpudlian accent. If you know this man, contact Folkestone police on Folkestone 850055.

Folkestone Herald 11-9-1992

Local News

Pubs are shutting down tomorrow (Saturday) for fear of violence after an Anti-Nazi demo. Campaigners say they will demonstrate at Folkestone Central railway station against an expected rally there by Nazi skinheads. And some publicans, particularly in the Harbour area, are taking no chances with their property and staff.

The assistant manager of the Royal George in Beach Street, who did not want to be named, said “We could be in a prime area for trouble and we are shutting all day. It is not worth staying open, even if only a few hundred pounds worth of damage is caused”.

Landlady Sue Welch said her pub, the London and Paris in Harbour Street, would certainly close during the day and possibly in the evening. She said “The place could get wrecked. We can`t risk that”. Her son, barman Alan, 19, said “There could be real danger. This is the area where there is most likely to be trouble because Fascists from Europe may travel here by Seacat”.

Some pubs and bars, such as Jolson`s in Tontine Street, are definitely staying open. A member of staff, who did not want to be named, said “We didn`t close when the bombs and shells came down during the war. Why should we close now for a bunch of skinhead idiots?”

Other pubs are taking advice from the police and may make their decisions tomorrow morning.

A spokesman at the Park Inn, next to Folkestone Central Station, said “A lot of people are frightened by this. I know of some people who say they won`t go into work at the town centre tomorrow. But we don`t know if we will shut because we are not certain the rally will go ahead”.

Last Saturday anti-fascist activists leafleted the town asking people to attend the demonstration. Anti-Nazi League member Kelvin Williams told the Herald 4,000 flyers were handed out and 500 names taken on a petition. He said “I`ve done a few of these in my time and I have never known such a favourable response. My guess is there will be 400 people turning up”.

Last week a spokesman for the far-right Blood and Honour organisation, which had hoped to stage a concert in Folkestone, said nothing was now planned.

But Mr. Williams countered this week; “Our information is that they will be mobilising in London to come down here”.

Jon Steel, a spokesman for Kent Police, said “People ought not to be panicking because if there is any disturbance it will be quashed very quickly. We will have whatever resources are necessary to deal with whatever happens”.

 

 

 

 

 

London and Paris 1970s

Folkestone Herald 15-5-1971

Local News

When 1,400 continentals visit Folkestone next Thursday the doors of local pubs will be open to them all afternoon. On Tuesday local Magistrates decided in favour of a second application to allow 17 pubs to remain open especially for the visitors. They had vetoed a previous application. The second made by publicans was amended to allow for a half-hour break at 5.30 p.m. before their premises opened for the evening session.

Mr. J. Medlicott, for the publicans, told the Magistrates that the visitors were delegates attending a conference in Bruges. One of its highlights was to be a visit to England. He referred to a letter received by Folkestone Corporation from the British Tourist Authority supporting the publicans` application. The visit – by Dutch, Swiss, Belgians and Germans – was a special occasion, not just a shopping expedition, said Mr. Medlicott. It had been arranged by a Bruges tourist organisation which had particularly asked that pubs should be open in the afternoon.

Police Inspector R. Sanders made no formal objection to the application – but doubted whether the visit was a special occasion.

The Chairman of Folkestone Chamber of Trade, Mr. Alan Stephenson, said later “The cross-Channel visitors` committee of this Chamber is very pleased that this has been seen as a special occasion by the Justices. When one is reminded that this extension is no more than happens in many market towns every week of the year, it seems a fair request, especially as Folkestone’s image abroad could be much influenced by the original decision not to allow the pubs to open”.

The pubs which will stay open are; Jubilee, Ship, Oddfellows, Royal George, London and Paris, True Briton, Harbour Inn, Princess Royal, Clarendon, Brewery Tap, Earl Grey, Prince Albert, George, Globe, East Kent Arms, Guildhall and Shakespeare.

Folkestone Herald 22-5-1971

Local News

About 1,400 Germans successfully invaded Folkestone on Thursday to enjoy themselves. The visitors - members of the BMW enthusiasts’ club - strolled about the town shooting local scenes with their cine cameras and went shopping. Many bought driving gear, ranging from tyres to goggles and crash helmets - but fewer than expected went to the pubs. They were visiting Folkestone during an international convention of their club, held this week at Bruges, in Belgium. Local licensees had gained extensions of opening hours to cater for them. But it was the locals who patronised some of the 17 town centre and harbour area pubs that stayed open.

At the Shakespeare, in Guildhall Street, Mr. Ron Balsom, said “It was a com­plete waste of time staying open. I only had 13 Germans in all day”.

Mr. John Tobin, landlord of the East Kent Arms, in Sandgate Road, said most of his customers had been regulars.

The Oddfellows Arms, in The Stade, was closed by 3.15 p.m. A spokesman there said “It was a complete and utter waste of time”.

At the True Briton a spokesman said “We did very well - thanks largely to our regulars”.

The London and Paris, at the harbour, was busy, but a spokesman said the pub had not taken a great deal of money.

However, one very pleased landlady was Mrs. M.M. Lewis, at The Guildhall.  “It has been absolutely fantastic”, she said, "We have teen completely packed out with both German visitors and regulars".

Folkestone's publicity officer, Mr. Charles McDougal, said “The original letter we received from Belgium about this visit gave the departure time as 6 p.m. It was not until two days before the visit that we learned otherwise".

Mr. Alan Stephenson, chairman of Folkestone Chamber of Trade, said “These people wanted to come to Folkestone, and their visit gave them an opportunity to sample the pleasures of the town as a holiday resort rather than just a shopping centre”.

 

Photos from Folkestone Herald

Folkestone Herald 14-4-1973

Advertising Feature

As a ceremonial bottle of champagne shattered against the side of Folkestone’s London and Paris Hotel yesterday, at least one of the invited guests half-expected to see the harbourside inn slip its foundations, slide across Harbour Street, drop gently into the Pent Basin and float off in the general direc­tion of France.

For the London and Paris is no ordinary English pub. Landlord Brian Scott and his attractive wife Sheila are not only geared for the Com­mon Market - they have entered it. Continental visitors are immediately attracted by the Les Routiers plaque in the window of what used to be the public bar. For the uninitiated, the sign adorns 4,000 stopping places - most of them on the Continent - in which road travellers are made welcome. It stands for prompt ser­vice, good quality at reason­able cost and a welcoming atmosphere.

That the London and Paris is the only pub in Folkestone bearing the sign is testimony enough to the standards which Brian and Sheila have achieved. The long bar, familiar to locals and holidaymakers alike, has disappeared to make way for the London Bar – a pleasant, gaily decorated sanctuary for the discerning, with London show posters festooning the walls. In the corner is a salad bar which is expected to prove a popular innovation during the summer months. The alterations, which give the bar a new dimension, have the professional touch. Hardly surprising, really, since Brian has spent much of his life as a theatrical master carpenter, working behind the scenes at some of London`s biggest hit shows. Brian still keeps his hand in at his old job and recently lent his talents, in an advisory capacity, to the Rita Tushingham drama, Mistress of Novices, at the Picadilly Theatre. Margaretta Scott, one of Miss Tushingham’s co-stars in this production, was due at the London and Paris yester­day to officially open the revamped London Bar.

As yesterday’s guests dis­covered, the London and Paris has really brought the Entente Cordiale to Folke­stone. Even the sign outside, with a London view on one side and Paris on the other, re­flects the pub’s dual person­ality. Inside, visitors can turn left for a touch of the Cockneys and right for la Belle France. The Paris Bar, like its next-door neighbour, has a fair smattering of wall posters – this time in French. These are not just decorations, for the customers are just as likely to be speaking in French as English! In recent months, since the London and Paris was awarded the coveted Les Routiers sign, more and more French customers – many of them long distance lorry drivers – have found their way to the pub at the harbour. That they keep returning is the finest possible recommendation for the quality and price of the food and drink on offer. Mind you, there have been problems. Brian and Sheila are still wrestling with one of them. Frenchmen drink wine like we drink water – and they don`t expect to pay very much for it. Which is one of the reasons why Brian is trying to get his brewery, Bass Charrington, to supply a suitably inexpensive vin ordinaire. He said “Even with our limited French we know that the Continentals are surprised to find that they cannot get a glass of wine for a few pence”. This, however, is one problem which will not arise today. To mark the new alterations, the brewery is providing a free glass of wine to anybody ordering a meal in the London and Paris. With the Continental bar­riers coming down, Britain is expecting a rush of visitors from the other side of the Channel. One thing is certain. Those coming through Folkestone harbour won’t have to travel very far before feeling at home. The odds are too that the well-thumbed English-French phrase book behind the bar of the London and Paris is going to look a little dog­-eared before the season is over

Folkestone Herald 19-8-1978

Local News

An argument over drinks led to a pub landlord being punched in the mouth by one of his customers. At Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, Robert McCrudden, 21, of Rendez­vous Street, Folkestone, ad­mitted causing actual bodily harm to Mr. Clive Simpson at the London and Paris public house, Harbour Street, on June 3.

He was given a three-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

Mr. Michael Batt, prosecut­ing, told the court that McCrudden had resented Mr. Simpson telling him not to keep the staff waiting for an order and was barred from the pub after an argument. McCrudden returned to the bar, where he had been having a meal with his girl­friend and some friends and punched Mr. Simpson in the mouth. During a tussle which fol­lowed on the floor Mr. Simp­son was struck in the eye, Mr. Batt said.

In a statement to police McCrudden had said: “I’ve got an uncontrollable temper and it's got me into trouble before”. He said that he had lost his job as assistant manager of a butcher’s shop because of the pub incident.